Ceredigion MP Mark Williams has raised concerns about the provision of mental health services in rural areas.

Mr Williams has highlighted the problem of a lack of beds and services leading to people suffering with mental health issues being kept in prison cells as a last resort.

In a debate in Parliament this week on Mental Health Care in the NHS Mark Williams highlighted this issue, having received increasing representations about the lack of provision of mental health services in Ceredigion following the closure of the Afallon ward.

Mr Williams said: “I raised this matter with the acting chair of the Hywel Dda board, and while I have no doubt that the two vans commissioned by the Police Commissioner and the Hywel Dda Board will be beneficial, I think people in the Aberystwyth area will not be satisfied unless there is a like for like replacement of the Afallon ward which was so shamefully closed down on the promise of refurbishment, never to be re-opened.

“The closure of the Afallon ward, and a lack of alternatives locally has caused a great deal of stress and anxiety to many in Ceredigion, and I hope more action will be taken.”